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Holt Footpath Project

A couple from Holt have been clearing footpaths in their community in an effort to get more people to use them.

Brian Payne has taken a keen interest in preserving local footpaths around the countryside where they live.

Brian's interest was triggered by an appeal by the Ramblers' Association for path workers.

After he attended the meeting he was motivated to start surveying nearly 60 paths, stretching for 16 miles around his local village of Holt, assisted by his wife Susan and their friends Eric Stansfield and Brian Stanway. He also teamed up with Wrexham Council's Rights Of Way department for guidance and assistance.

Since then he has walked every footpath around the village, as well as the old community of Bieston. This covers an area from Holt up to the Llan Y Pwll link road, including the Industrial Estate and Wrexham Golf Course.

The Department provided Brian with a definitive map of the footpaths and so began a 12 month quest to clear the paths, check signposts and stiles and bridges.

Brian said:

"Some of the paths were in a very poor condition and hadn't been used for years. We tackled some smaller jobs ourselves and reported all the faults that I found on the various footpaths to the Council. They found funding to undertake improvement work.

"I've really enjoyed the experience and am delighted that paths that were not easily accessible are available for the public to enjoy once again."

Once Brian's assessment had been made £3,500 from Wrexham Council's Rights Of Way department was made available to provide new stiles and gates and to build new footbridges.

Rights of Way Officer John Marchant said he would love to hear from other communities interested in helping to clear footpaths across the County Borough. He said:

"The local authority doesn't have the resources to be able to clear every single footpath within the County Borough so Brian's efforts are very much appreciated. He has put in hours of work to ensure that the paths in his area were improved for others to enjoy."

Brian said:

"I am now intending to work with the Holt Community Council to develop a trail guide for Holt footpaths to encourage locals and visitors to use them. Now the paths are clear the best way to keep them clear is by regularly using them."

It is now hoped that other communities may look at surveying paths to enhance the footpath network across the County Borough.

Tel: 01978 292057
Email: rightsofway@wrexham.gov.uk

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